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Five things new managers need to know about human resources

By Chaze Patrick, Outreach and Engagement Marketing Assistant

Human Resources (HR) is a vital element within any organization. As a manager (or an aspiring one), you will be required to implement HR practices when supervising employees in day-to-day operations. The area of HR encompasses various strategies such as succession planning, workforce development, recruitment, retention and optimizing resources. As a manager, here are five things you need to know about HR.

Every employee is a customer

Based on the concept of customer service, it is important to identify what is important to the employee. Helping the employee to meet goals professionally will inspire them to be more productive for not only the department/section, but the company overall.

Follow the law

The legal landscape for HR professionals is always changing. Employers are required to follow both state and federal laws. These laws are reflective of minimizing discriminatory HR practices related to race, religion, disability, veteran/military status and many others.

What talent do you need?

Before you bring someone into the organization, identify the strategic plan and talent you will need to push forward. Based on the outlined priorities, consider these frameworks in the phase of recruitment for potential candidates.

Recruit and retain the best talent

You are who you hire and do not fire. Hiring is one of the most important business decisions that a manager can make. In the interviewing process, ask potential candidates questions using the STAR technique, a behavioral interview method aimed to tell a story. For example, ask about a specific event or situation where the person had to perform an action that achieved a result. Once they are hired, ensure that you keep them engaged and offer opportunities for growth.

Evaluate to motivate

Now that you have hired the right person, be sure to adequately evaluate their strengths and areas for improvement. The performance evaluation should be a time of celebration for the manager and employee.